Request for Advice on Gem Micromatic Open Comb "MMOC"

Hello Gents!

I've recently started using a Gem MMOC and I'm having a rough go of it. I've used it 3 times and each time ends in blood ... lots of it   My first foray into SE razors was a Gem G-Bar. At first I thought that to be a bit too mild and found holding at a steeper angle (steep in this case being the handle more perpendicular than parallel to my face) yielded a much improved shave. However with the MMOC I can't seem to hold it at steep enough an angle. I've ruled out the blade was bad by using my G-Bar and it worked well there. I'm also using the Gem Blue Star (I believe they're made by Personna) blades.

Is there a specific difference with the MMOC vs. the G-Bar in technique that is eluding me or this just a super-aggressive razor? Any other thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks!

It is super aggressive, at least to me. I hated it and I love every other GEM razor I have (Featherweight, 1912 Damaskeene, Ever Ready 1924, Bullet Tip and I have a G-bar on the way). No matter how light of a touch I used or how steep of an angle, I could never get an irritation free shave. Never really any blood, just always a rough shave in terms of irritation. I always use the PTFE coated blades though. They seem a lot smoother to me than any of the carbon steel ones. Like for me, it just may not be a good razor for you.

I love most of the Gem blade razors, but the micromatics just don't do it for me. Try the trinity (1912, 1914, 1924) with the ptfe blades and you'll find a smoother, closer shave. good luck! BTW, I found the carbon blades to be rough and tuggy

That razor is the only one that gives me pause. It is super aggressive. I know I've posted this before, but FF to the 5:15 mark. If I used it that fast I would need a blood transfusion. Watch him buff his upper lip at the 9:40 mark. Yikes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnQ1Rk68ygw

I love most of the Gem blade razors, but the micromatics just don't do it for me. Try the trinity (1912, 1914, 1924) with the ptfe blades and you'll find a smoother, closer shave. good luck! BTW, I found the carbon blades to be rough and tuggy

I believe the carbon blades to have greater initial sharpness (one reason we still do carbon) but they fade fast). I always hand strop before using them and get a better shave or two from them then the PTFE.

All I can say is go figure about the MMOC, I get great shaves from it. If you have the older bumpless version you could try a shim and see if that makes a difference.

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It is super aggressive, at least to me. I hated it and I love every other GEM razor I have (Featherweight, 1912 Damaskeene, Ever Ready 1924, Bullet Tip and I have a G-bar on the way). No matter how light of a touch I used or how steep of an angle, I could never get an irritation free shave. Never really any blood, just always a rough shave in terms of irritation. I always use the PTFE coated blades though. They seem a lot smoother to me than any of the carbon steel ones. Like for me, it just may not be a good razor for you.

I couldn't agree more, Jeff. I find the MMOC a real face eater and only keep mine as a curiosity piece. There are too many other excellent SE and DE razors, both vintage and new, to want to torture myself with this beast.

The angle is the same and not an issue, whether mild G-bar or MMOC you keep the same angle. If you are using the PTFE blade, do the first 3 shaves with the G-bar and then use the same blade in the MMOC. I used to do that before because the MMOC would of draw a little bit of blood in the first 2-3 shaves with new PTFE blade. Now a days it don't bother me if the blade is brand new when shaving with the MMOC, takes 10-15 shaves to get the hang of it. MMOC for me is the only razor from all the SE and DE razors I have that can achieve BBS in 2 passes, not even the Fatip does that.

I owned a MMOC...for about 2 weeks. About 3 shaves is all it took for me to know that it was way over the top too aggressive for me. I could use a pushbutton Gem for 2 weeks straight with the same blade and never have an issue. The MMOC was not designed for mere mortals.

I owned a MMOC...for about 2 weeks. About 3 shaves is all it took for me to know that it was way over the top too aggressive for me. I could use a pushbutton Gem for 2 weeks straight with the same blade and never have an issue. The MMOC was not designed for mere mortals.

Will take that as a compliment :-). And send any unloved razors to my non profit MMOC foundation.

What I can't figure out is if the MMOC is that difficult why ASR kept it in production unchanged for more than a decade. Seems like they could have figured out if folks didn't like it and made changes a lot sooner then 1941. Baffles me.

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I owned a MMOC...for about 2 weeks. About 3 shaves is all it took for me to know that it was way over the top too aggressive for me. I could use a pushbutton Gem for 2 weeks straight with the same blade and never have an issue. The MMOC was not designed for mere mortals.

Will take that as a compliment :-).  And send any unloved razors to my non profit MMOC foundation.

What I can't figure out is if the MMOC is that difficult why ASR kept it in production unchanged for more than a decade. Seems like they could have figured out if folks didn't like it and made changes a lot sooner then 1941. Baffles me.

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Ordinarily, I would say this is another YMMV situation but not in this case.  While there are folks like you who enjoy the shave you get from the MMOC, there are just too many, myself included, who got consistently poor shaves with it.  In my case, it was weepers, occasional nicks, and irritation.  No matter how much I tried, the results were always less than satisfactory.  My British Featherweight, on the other hand, gives me excellent shaves and has since the first time I used it.